Brunswick voters to decide on sales tax hike

Monday

Feb 24, 2014 at 4:40 PM

If passed by voters in the primary election, it would raise the sales tax by a quarter of a cent

By Jason GonzalesJason.Gonzales@starnewsonline.com

The Brunswick County Commissioners voted 4-1 Monday to seek voter approval in May to raise the county sales tax to provide money for beach projects and school facilities.Commissioner Frank Williams was the dissenter.If passed by voters in the primary election, it would raise the sales tax by a quarter of a cent, from 6.75 cents to 7 cents per dollar.The sales tax increase would put the county on par with New Hanover County and many other counties that have imposed the local-option addition allowed by the state. Just across the state line, North Myrtle Beach has a sales tax of 8 cents per dollar, and Myrtle Beach has a sales tax of 9 cents per dollar.The quarter of a cent would provide about $3 million annually that the county can split between two of its greatest needs. Unlike other sales tax revenue, it wouldn't be distributed among town and county governments, but devoted to the two designated purposes.The county's beach communities have been faced with dwindling federal money to help with projects such as inlet dredging.And the school district has seen rapid growth."I am pleased we approved it on the ballot," said Commissioner Chairman Phil Norris. "This is not something that is going to go away."The county staff undertook looking for new funding sources for beach projects after the board's Dec. 16 meeting. Commissioners during that meeting shot down a proposal to change the county's sales tax distribution method to provide more money to beach towns. "The additional county tax … levels any perceived inequity in the sales tax distribution," County Manager Ann Hardy said.Brunswick County Schools' facilities projects total more than $250 million, but $130 million would be sufficient, school officials have said. To fund the amount, the district will need a bond referendum.Hardy said it is not feasible at this time because the county is still paying off its 1999 bond for school improvements."We want to keep property taxes low," she said.Brunswick Schools Superintendent Edward Pruden said the approval of the referendum would be a good first step."This will help us maintain the schools," he said. "And buy us (some time)."But the idea for the referendum came about too quickly for Williams. He said he first heard about raising the sales tax last week and is not against funding beach or school projects. One resident spoke against the referendum, as well, during the meeting."Any tax increase is a last resort," Williams said. "I want to explore all available methods … and take our time."Despite the detractors, approval of the referendum received widespread support from residents and municipal officials."It's up to the people," Norris said. "And I can only speak for myself as a voter, but I will vote for this."